Ballistic resistant member carrier

ABSTRACT

A garment includes a ballistic resistant member carrier and a garment, such as a shirt. The carrier is attached to the shirt. The carrier may include at least one portion adapted to cover a front and/or back side of a torso of a wearer. The front and back portions of the carrier may also overlap to further cover a side of the torso of the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to ballistic resistant garments and more specifically to ballistic resistant member carrier for use to be worn under clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment which includes a shirt and a ballistic resistant member carrier attached to the shirt.

The present invention relates to a garment which includes a shirt and ballistic resistant member carrier attached to the shirt, wherein the carrier comprises an enclosure for receiving and carrying a ballistic resistant member.

The present invention also relates to a method for making a garment comprising the steps of providing a ballistic resistant member carrier and attaching the ballistic resistant member carrier to an interior portion of a garment adapted to be worn on a torso of a wearer.

These and other features will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanied drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the garment of the present invention shown on a user's torso with the shirt of the garment shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top fold out view of the ballistic resistant member carrier of FIG. 1 (fastening straps not shown);

FIG. 4 is a partial fold out view of the ballistic resistant member carrier of FIG. 1 with fastening straps shown exploded;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the ballistic resistant member carrier of FIG. 1 after assembly (fastening straps not shown);

FIG. 6 is a front view of the garment of FIG. 1 shown with the shirt separated from the ballistic resistant member carrier;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top partial perspective view of the ballistic resistant member carrier of FIG. 1 showing one shoulder region with the member carrier shown and the shirt shown inside out;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8—8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the shirt shown in phantom;

FIG. 10 is side view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the shirt shown in phantom;

FIG. 11 is rear view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the shirt shown in phantom; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the ballistic resistant member carrier of FIG. 1 shown with a ballistic resistant member partially inserted therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, garment 100, in one example, comprises ballistic resistant member carrier 102, which is attached to shirt 103. In FIG. 1, shirt 103 is shown in phantom. However, shirt 103 provides the ability to conceal ballistic resistant member carrier 102 from the eyes of an observer. Shirt 103, since it is utilized to help conceal, can be of any number of conventional garments. In the present embodiment shown, shirt 103 is constructed as a T-shirt.

In general, ballistic resistant member carrier 102 is adapted to receive and carry a ballistic resistant member. Ballistic resistant member carrier 102, in one example, is made of a water resistant vapor permeable material such as GORE-TEX®. Alternatively, ballistic resistant member carrier 102 could comprise any material with sufficient strength to carry ballistic resistant members.

In one embodiment, ballistic resistant member carrier 102 comprises a front portion 104, a rear portion 106 and fastening devices 108, which are located at each side of carrier 102. Front portion 104 and rear portion 106, in one example, are adapted to cover at least a portion of the user's torso. In one embodiment, front portion 104 and rear portion 106 cover both a front and rear side of a user's torso. In another example, either front portion 104 or rear portion 106 individually covers at least one of the front or rear sides of the user's torso. In a further example, a ballistic resistant member carrier 102 may comprise only front portion 104 or only rear portion 106. Therefore, whichever portion is included would at least partially cover at least one of a front or rear side of the user's torso.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view taken along line 2—2 of FIG. 1. Front portion 104 and rear portion 106 are shown with ballistic resistant members 202, 204 contained therein, respectively. Ballistic resistant members 202, 204 may be constructed in a number of ways which contemplate resisting penetration of a ballistic impact. Often, members 202, 204 are constructed of overlying sheets of woven high strength fibers. In some instances, members 202, 204 are constructed of overlying sheets of non-woven ballistic resistant materials or even a combination of overlying sheets of woven and non-woven ballistic resistant materials. Alternatively, ballistic resistant members 202 and 204 may include plates constructed of metal and/or ceramic materials.

In other embodiments, front portion 104 and rear portion 106 are configured to cooperatively cover a side 107 of wearer's torso. In FIG. 2, front portion 104 and rear portion 106 cooperatively engage by overlapping to cover the user's side 107 and include ballistic resistant members 202 and 204, which likewise, overlap to cover the user's side. Alternatively, front portion 104 and rear portion 106 may be adapted to have complementary mating side portions that engage to cover the wearer's side.

Fastening device 108, in one example, comprises fastening strips 206 and 208 and fastening strap 210. Fastening strips 206, 208 are connected to front portion 104 and rear portion 106, respectively. Fastening strips 206, 208 are connected to front portion 104 and rear portion 106 through any known means, such as stitching, adhesives, etc. Fastening strap 210 engages with fastening strips 206, 208 to secure fastening strips 206 and 208 and, by extension, front portion 104 and rear portion 106 together. In one example, fastening strips 206,208 and fastening strap 210 comprise mating hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®. It should be noted that the side of carrier 102 opposite line 2—2 has a similar cooperative engagement between front portion 104 and rear portion 106 and also includes a fastening device 108. As previously mentioned, ballistic resistant members 202 and 204 may also overlap to provide ballistic protective coverage to the user's side.

FIG. 3 is a fold out plan view of an embodiment of ballistic resistant member carrier 102. Ballistic resistant member carrier 102 can be constructed of a single sheet of material or any number of sheets secured together by conventional means such as stitching, adhesives etc. Front portion 104, in one example, is constructed of sheet 302. Rear portion 106, in one example, is constructed of sheet 304. In this example, sheets 302 and 304 are secured together with stitches 318, which secure sheets 302 and 304 at the shoulder and/or collar region of the ballistic resistant garment. In the shoulder region, opening 320 defines a space that a wearer's head fits through and is positioned around the neck of the wearer when ballistic resistant garment is worn. End portion 308 of sheet 302 and end portion 312 of sheet 304, in one example, are also secured together by stitching 318. It should be noted, however, that other ways of attaching sheets 302, 304, such as adhesives or velcro, are also envisioned.

An example of constructing front and rear portions 104 and 106 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Sheet 302 is folded along fold line 309 and likewise sheet 304 is folded along fold line 313. In this example, end portions 306 and 308, as well as, end portions 310 and 312 are all brought together at the shoulder region of the garment and secured together either by stitching 318 or other conventional means for joining the material together. Portions 104 and 106 are constructed, in this example, as enclosures or loops for holding ballistic resistant members 202 and 204 respectively. In a more preferable construction, portions 104 and 106 are further enclosed by securing adjacent opposing sides 315 of portion 104 and adjacent opposing sides 317 of portion 104 together thereby forming a pocket for holding ballistic resistant member 202. Similarly, portion 106 adjacent opposing sides 319 and 321 are secured together creating a pocket for holding ballistic resistant member 204. Under this construction, sheet 302 includes opening 314, and sheet 304 includes opening 316, which allow for the insertion of a ballistic resistant member into the pockets formed of portions 104 and 106 respectively.

In the example set forth herein, portions 104 and 106 form pocket enclosures for holding a ballistic resistant member in position. However, portions 104 and 106 do not have to be enclosures, but can each be constructed in a number of ways to hold the ballistic resistant members in position under the shirt. A further example would include each of portions 104 and 106 being a sheet or a portion of a sheet that is secured to the shoulder and/or collar region of the garment 103 shown in FIG. 1. Each portion 104 and 106 is then, in turn, secured to a ballistic resistant member 202, 204 respectively by way of stitching, adhesive etc.

The present invention also relates to methods for making ballistic resistant garments. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a shirt and attaching a ballistic resistant member carrier to the shirt. Referring now to FIG. 4, a method for forming one embodiment of ballistic resistant member carrier is shown. Front portion 104 is formed by folding sheet 302 along fold line 309 and positioning end portion 306 proximate to end portion 308. Likewise, rear portion 106 is formed by folding sheet 304 along fold line 313 and positioning end portion 310 proximate to 312. The arrows shown in FIG. 4 provide the direction in which front and back portions 104 and 106 are folded together for assembly. The respective end portions 306, 308, 310 and 312 may then be connected by stitching, adhesives, etc. As disclosed above, the opposing sides of sheets 302 and 304 can be secured together to form a pocket for portions 104 and 106. Alternatively, end portions 306, 308, 310 and 312 could be releasably secured together by a fastening device such as VELCRO®. The end result is shown in FIG. 5, with ballistic resistant member carrier 102 assembled and portions 104 and 106 forming pockets with all of their sides secured closed and the only access to the interior of the formed pockets is through openings 314 and 316.

Referring to FIG. 6, generally after assembly, ballistic resistant member carrier 102 is attached to shirt 103. In one example, top portions 602 of ballistic resistant member carrier, which are formed at the connection of top portions 306, 308, 310, 312 of FIG. 3, are inserted into the body of shirt 103 and attached in a preferred construction to shoulder portions 604. In other embodiments, shirt 103 can be secured to collar portion 605 or to both shoulder and collar portions 604 and 605. In this embodiment, shirt 103 overlies carrier 102, and thereby functions as a concealment garment, which may prevent an observer from seeing ballistic member carrier 102 and any accompanying ballistic resistant members when garment 100 is positioned on a wearer. Further, because top portions 602 are connected to shirt 103 at collar portions 604, shirt 103 provides vertical support for carrier 102. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide carrier 102 with support straps at the shoulders.

FIG. 7 provides an inside out view of ballistic resistant garment 100 with carrier 102. Normally, carrier 102 is positioned on the inside of shirt 103. In this view, however, carrier 102 is positioned outside of and over shirt 103. Top portions 602 of carrier 102 are shown attached to shoulder and collar portions 604, 605 of shirt 103 by stitching 702. It should be noted, however, that carrier 102 and shirt 103 could be attached together differently. For instance, front portion 704 of carrier 102 could be attached to a corresponding front portion of shirt 103, or back portion of carrier 102 could be attached to a back portion of shirt 103. Moreover, carrier 102 and shirt 103 could be attached together through means other than stitching, such as by adhesive, rivets, etc. It should be also noted that carrier 102 could be releasably attached to shirt 103 through the employment of snaps, buttons, VELCRO etc.

FIG. 8 provides a cross sectional view taken along line 8—8 of FIG. 7. End portions 306, 308 of sheet 302, which is used to form front portion 104, are shown connected to the shoulder portion 604 of shirt 103. End portions 310, 312 of sheet 304, which is used to form rear portion 106, likewise are shown connected to shoulder portion 604 of shirt 103.

FIGS. 9-11 demonstrate the coverage provided by garment 100 when installed on a user. In FIG. 9, ballistic resistant member 901, shown in phantom, is positioned inserted in front portion 104, protects a front side 902 of a wearer. In FIG. 10, both the front and back sides of the wearer are shown protected wherein, ballistic resistant member 901 is shown positioned inside of portion 104 protecting the front side of the wearer, wherein portion 104 is shown in phantom. Likewise, ballistic resistant member 903 is shown inside of rear portion 106 protecting the back side of the wearer, wherein portion 106 is shown in phantom. Both ballistic resistant members 901 and 903 cooperate in overlapping with one another to protect side 107 of a user. (Similarly, member 901 and member 903 overlap to likewise provide protection to the opposite side of the user). In FIG. 11, ballistic resistant member 903, shown in phantom, is shown protecting back 906 of a user. Shirt 103, shown in phantom in FIGS. 9-11, helps conceal members 901, 903 from being seen by an observer. It should be noted that either front portion 104 or rear portion 106 could be omitted from garment 100 depending on the needs of the user.

FIG. 12 demonstrates the insertion of ballistic resistant member 903 into rear portion 106. Member 903 is inserted, in the direction of the arrow, into rear portion 106 through opening 316. Member 903 is inserted into portion 106 until it is positioned within portion 106. Similarly, member 901 (not shown) is inserted into front portion 104 through opening 314 (not shown). Because front portion 104 and rear portion 106 are closed at top portion 602, ballistic resistant members 901, 903 are prevented from riding up and out of the top of carrier 102.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A garment, comprising: a shirt; and a ballistic resistant member carrier attached to the shirt.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the ballistic resistant member carrier comprises a front portion to be positioned over a front portion of a torso of a user and a rear portion to be positioned over a rear portion of the torso of the user.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are adapted to cooperatively engage to cover at least one side of the torso of the user.
 4. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a ballistic resistant member positioned within the ballistic resistant member carrier.
 5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a ballistic resistant member positioned on a surface of the ballistic resistant member carrier.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the member carrier is attached to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the shirt.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the member carrier comprises a folded sheet.
 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the folded sheet includes two end portions that are secured together.
 9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the two end portions are secured to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the shirt.
 10. The garment of claim 8 wherein adjacent opposing sides of the folded sheet are attached together.
 11. The garment of claim 10 wherein the folded sheet forms a pocket.
 12. The garment of claim 7, wherein one side of the folded sheet includes an opening to allow insertion of a ballistic resistant member.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein the shirt is adapted to overly the member carrier.
 14. A garment, comprising: a shirt; and a ballistic resistant member carrier attached to the shirt, wherein the carrier comprises an enclosure for receiving and carrying a ballistic resistant member.
 15. The garment of claim 14, wherein atop portion of the carrier is attached to the shirt to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the shirt.
 16. The garment of claim 14, wherein the enclosure comprises a folded sheet.
 17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the folded sheet includes two end portions that are secured to together.
 18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the two end portions are connected to the shirt.
 19. The garment of claim 17 wherein adjacent opposing sides of the folded sheet are attached together.
 20. The garment of claim 19 wherein the folded sheet forms a pocket.
 21. The garment of claim 16, wherein one side of the folded sheet includes an opening to allow insertion of a ballistic resistant member.
 22. The garment of claim 14, wherein the shirt is adapted to overlie the carrier.
 23. The garment of claim 14, wherein the carrier comprises a front portion positioned over a front portion of a torso of a wearer; and a rear portion positioned over a back portion of the torso of the wearer.
 24. The garment of claim 23, wherein the front portion and the rear portion cooperate to cover at least one side of a torso.
 25. The garment of claim 24, wherein the front portion and the rear portion overlap.
 26. The garment of claim 24, wherein the front portion and the rear portion include mating side portions.
 27. The garment of claim 23, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are attached to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the shirt.
 28. A method for making a garment comprising the steps of: providing a ballistic resistant member carrier; and attaching the ballistic resistant member carrier to an interior portion of a garment adapted to be worn on a torso of a wearer.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the garment comprises a shirt.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the carrier is attached to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the shirt.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the carrier comprises covers at least one side of a torso of a wearer.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the carrier comprises: a front portion to be positioned over a front portion of a torso of a wearer; and a rear portion to be positioned over a back portion of the torso of a wearer.
 33. The method of claim 28, wherein the carrier comprises a folded sheet having two ends attached together.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the two ends are attached to at least one of a collar and a shoulder portion of the garment.
 35. The method of claim 33 wherein adjacent opposing sides of the folded sheet are attached together.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the folded sheet forms a pocket.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the folded sheet includes an opening that is adapted to allow insertion of a ballistic resistant member. 